Facebook has introduced new tools that will help broadcasters plan and promote Live streams.
This will help broadcasters to line up an audience before the broadcast begins, meaning that viewers will be watching the stream the second that it starts. The new Facebook tools include Live video scheduling, scheduled broadcast sharing and pre-broadcast lobbies, according to a post on the company website.
New Live scheduling features available from today
The new features will be available for verified pages, with functionalities to be made available to all pages in the next few weeks. Developers of third-party Live API tools will also be given access sometime soon.
One of the worst things about Live streams as it stands is the lack of ability to schedule. You can announce a stream before it starts, but you can’t share a link to it. Under the new system you can create a link up to seven days before the video stream starts, attracting a larger audience.
Upon scheduling a broadcast, Facebook sends a News Feed post inviting followers to sign up to receive a one-time notification when the stream starts. To schedule a stream head to the “Publishing Tools” menu, then “Video Library” then “Live” in order to copy the credentials of their stream. This could be a Steam key or a server URL.
Facebook battling Periscope and YouTube Live
You can then write an announcement post and publish it to the News Feed. The whole idea is to make things easier for Live streaming.
It also means that Live streams do not have to start slowly as video creators wait for more audience members. The creation of a waiting room is another good step in this regard, and they can open up to three minutes before the stream begins.
Facebook is hoping that these new features will give it an edge over Periscope and YouTube Live. It is also hoping to provide the best service for video creators.
These creators are aiming to reach the maximum amount of people possible, while audiences want to see cutting-edge content on busy streams so that the feel fashionable. By introducing Live video stream scheduling and lobbies Facebook could go some way to satisfying both groups.
